Energetic, charismatic, and fully capable of a respectable Elvis impression at a moment's notice, Koizumi's service as Prime Minister of Japan and head of the Liberal Democratic Party has been marked by media attention, abrupt but savvy switches in policy and a certain flair for individualized leadership. However, his power base in his party was limited, as was his international experience. Shinoda (international relations, International U. of Japan) closely analyzes the changes in foreign policy making in Japan since Koizumi took office, noting the decline of the power of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the increase in involvement of the Kantei, an organization roughly the same as the White House Cabinet. He evaluates such issues as Koizumi's and the Kantei's responses to terrorism and Iraq, their development of foreign policy as a top-down enterprise, and Koizumi's possible legacy. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)